Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-07-22

WASHINGTON, D. c.,

of Agriculture to experiment as to the
feasibility of raising tea in this country.
The Commissioner leased II farm in
South Carolina for that purpose, and
thousands Of dollars have been spent in
the effort to raise tea of fair quality and
at a reasonable cost. With the all OF
practical men from IA tea-raising country
every effort was made, but all to no
effect. Last week the Commissioner OF
Agricultural gave up the farm, and it
will be used in the future by its owner
in raising cotton and corn.
The Post Office Department is making
careful and thorough inspection OF
the business Of each post-office / the
country, and the service is greatly im-
proved thereby. The principal wrong
doing is found to be that postmasters
are rendering false returns OF cancella-
ton, thus unlawfully increasing their
compensation, and wherever this is
found to be the case the guilty official is
removed from office, made TO make res
titution and then criminally prosecuted.
When Gen. b. +. Butler captured
New Orleans among other valuable
property secured were two very costly
swords belonging to General Triggs-
one presented to him by Congress and
the other by the legislature Of his ma
tive State for gallant conduct in the
war with Mexico. Congress las: win
ter authorized the return TO the parties
who should be entitled to receive them.
AS two claims have filed for them-one
by Mr.. Myers, executor Of the Triggs
estate, and the other by Mrs. Rowena
Gredella, an English lady, who asserts
that General Triggs g ave her the sword
at the time he made his escape from
New Orleans-the Secretary of the
Treasury, in whose keeping the swords
are, has referred the matter to the
Court of Claims for settlement. The
hilt of the swords are of solid gold set
with diamonds aud other precious
stones, and are said to be worth over
fifty thousand dollars.
Mr.. Joseph G.. G. Kennedy, a we'll
known real estate agent of this city,
was stabbed and killed last week by a
vagabond named Joseph Daily, who had
recently been released from the work
house. Mr.. Kennedy had just put Il
letter in street box when Daily struck
him i'm the back with his fist, and when
he turned around stabbed him in the
abdomen, from the effects of which he
died in about five minutes. Daily has
been indicted by the grand jury and
will be tried next week. His lawyers
will try to get him off OH the insanity
dodge, but the chances are that Daily
will hang for his crime.
Mr.. John p. Newhouse, well-known
restaurant keeper of GeoI getown, died
on Thursday evening last. He served
throughout the entire war ia the ia
nous "Black Horse Cavalry" His
body was taken to Virginia for burial.
The Benevolent Union Association of
Virginia and West Virginia will hold
its annual convention in this city on
August 2lst. Amendments to the con-
stitution and bylaws will be the most
important business to be considered.
Hon. Alexander r. Shepherd, who
was at one time president of the board
of public works and governor of the
District, but now engaged In mining
operations in Mexico, is here on trip
to recuperate from bad accident he
met with some months ago. The citi-
zers of Washington propose to tender
him a reception as soon as his health
improves enough to permit it. To Mr..
Shepherd more than other man does
Washington owe her present beauty and
prosperity, for when he took the reins
OF government in hand the city was an
overgrown village with mud holes in
every square, while to-day it is the
most beautiful city in the country, if
not in the world.
The weather here for the past week
has been simply terrific, and many
persons have died from the effects of
sunsuoke. Washington is paved
throughout with asphalt, and as a per-
son crosses the street they can feel the
heat coming up in waves. To-day the
signal service reported the thermometer
as at l04 degrees, the highest point
reached for ten years. To add to the
distress three boys were drowned in the
river yesterday while trying to cool of,
and it is seldom during the summer
that day passes without the river
claiming a victim.
William Van Metre, of Jackson cOun-
ty, for whom eX-Congressman Gibson
secured position in the Government
Printing Office about year ago, is said
to have Congressional aspirations, hav-
ing conceived the idea since he has been
in Washington that he is "a great poll
tician. West Virginians don't think,
however, that there is much cause for
alarm, as a slight application of Con-
gressional or Senatorial talk will dispel
his illusion.
Clark Hamilton, Jr., has been APP
pointed United States storekeeper and
gaugcr for the district of West Virginia.
5. w.
On Tuesday most remarkable occur